The Rev. Gary Putnam, who served as the first chaplain at University of the Pacific, died June 23 at the age of 84.

Putnam was chaplain at Pacific from 1983 until 1990 when he became senior pastor at Central United Methodist Church, which has strong ties to Pacific.

In a 2019 interview with Pacific, Putnam recalled being “dazzled” by the beauty of the university and knew he wanted the job after walking into historic Morris Chapel.

“He had a way of always being personal but professional, vulnerable but strong, present but not overbearing, quiet but warm, wise but folksy,” said Director of Religious and Spiritual Life Kim Montenegro of her former pastor and long-time mentor. “Gary has taught so many people lessons in ways that will stick with them for a lifetime.”

During his tenure at Pacific, Putnam initiated Sunday morning services, started a lecture series and hosted a festival of carols at Christmas with a candlelight procession around campus. To help faculty get to know each other, he established faculty softball games, coaching the team of All Goodness and Light.

Speaking of the significance of the chaplaincy, Putnam said it “helps makes this the place where the heart goes to school. We deal with matters of meaning. When I was in engineering you dealt with things factually. You always asked the question of how. ‘How does this work? How can I make that work?’ Whereas in the world of faith you ask ‘why?’” 

Putnam was committed to social justice and volunteered with several organizations in Stockton, including the Peace & Justice Network, Planned Parenthood, the Stockton Arts Commission and the Rotary Club of Stockton.

He was born in Lynch, Nebraska and raised in Mapleton, Iowa. He initially pursued a degree in aeronautical engineering, but decided to pivot, earning his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University with a focus on ministry and religious studies.

He went on to earn a graduate degree from Garrett Theological Seminary/Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and his Doctor of Ministry degree at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California.

Putnam is survived by his wife Gillian Murphy, a retired dean at San Joaquin Delta College, daughters Beth Bicknell and Margaret Munk Hansen and numerous grandchildren and other family members.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, July 6 at 10 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church at 3700 Pacific Ave. in Stockton followed by a reception at Pacific’s Alex and Jeri Vereschagin Alumni House.